Be proactive, transparent, sensitive: Karnataka police chief Dutta to officers

Bengaluru: Rupak Kumar Dutta, who took charge as the head of state police force on Tuesday, sent a clear message to senior police officers that they have to be pro-active, transparent and sensitive.

He formally received the baton from outgoing DG&IGP Om Prakash at a ceremony at the state police chief’s office on Nrupatunga Road on Tuesday evening.

Addressing senior police officials after taking charge as the 39th Director General & Inspector General of Police, Mr Dutta said, “When I joined the service, people disliked the police. Now, I am at the fag end of my career. Even now the situation is the same. Why do people dislike us? The only way to get closer to the people is through our work. Being pro-active should be our mantra. Why do you have to wait for someone to lodge a complaint when you know there is an incident? Take up a suo motu case and probe it. Also, people not being treated well at police stations is not new. We have to change our attitude. When complainants ask for a copy of an FIR or status of the case, why should we not give a copy or update them? Transparency really matters to gain public confidence. Be sensitive towards people and their conditions. Be strict but be sensitive at the same time.”

He told them that the staff, from constables to ASIs, are not being treated well within the department. “Understand that they are not ‘extras’. They are the ones who are on the field,” he said.

He told them to monitor investigations at the state level. “There should be no discrepancy in investigation at police station level. People should just not demand a CBI of CID probe. Our investigation should be that tight. I have just nine months to retire and I expect results,” he said.

Talking to the media later, he said that he has a set of plans and will take them up. “There are a few sections in the police department and they are not relevant today. They will be winded up and the staff will be used for other works.”